Speaking on radio 2ST yesterday morning, Mr Abbott committed to spending $20 million carrying out urgent repairs to the highway near Termeil.

“This is a very dangerous section of the road,” Mr Abbott said.

“There have been seven deaths on this section this year alone.”

Having travelled through the area several times, “I am very much aware that the highway does need a lot of work,” Mr Abbott said.

He said the state government had been “utterly derelict” in ignoring its responsibilities to the highway, which has always been a state road, and to the South Coast.

In contrast Gilmore MP Joanna Gash had been “really, really committed to getting the upgrade,” Mr Abbott said.

“Jo Gash has been fighting for her electorate in so many ways, and particularly since the terrible crash on the highway earlier this year that claimed several lives within the one family.”

Mr Abbott said the money would come from the AusLink roads program, with work to be completed by 2013.